Washington D.C., Jan 29, 2013 / 04:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Americans who wish to be truly pro-life must be willing to examine the philosophical and cultural implications of these views, said George Mason University law professor Helen Alvaré. Being involved in the pro-life movement, she said, “will lead you places where you’ll be surprised to go, because abortion is not a single issue.” Alvaré delivered the keynote address at the Cardinal O’Connor … [Read more...]

Steubenville, Ohio, Jan 29, 2013 / 02:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The greatest blessing for Franciscan University of Steubenville's president has been witnessing the enthusiasm of students, Father Terence Henry said after the news of his retirement as was announced. In a Jan. 28 interview with CNA, he recalled serving as pastor of the student body which he said was highlighted by greeting the students every day as they made their way to 8 a.m. classes. “Seeing their enthusiasm and … [Read more...]

Washington D.C., Jan 29, 2013 / 12:03 am (CNA).- A group of 30 Christian, Muslim, and Jewish religious leaders signed a statement urging the Obama administration to work for a “viable two-state peace agreement” in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “We believe a bold new initiative for an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement should be an immediate priority of the new Administration in 2013,” read the Jan. 25 statement of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative … [Read more...]

San Francisco, Calif., Jan 28, 2013 / 06:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An estimated 50,000 pro-life advocates rallied and marched against abortion in San Francisco for the Walk for Life West Coast Jan. 26, drawing greetings and praise from Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., read a special message from the Pope, who called the event an “outstanding public witness to the fundamental right to life.” Pope Benedict said the walk witnessed … [Read more...]

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2013 / 03:36 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- As he spoke to the Church’s highest court, which often deals with issues related to marriage, Pope Benedict highlighted the growing acceptance of instability in relationships.Contemporary culture “poses serious challenges to the person and the family,” he began, underscoring that it calls into question “the very capacity of human beings to bond themselves to another and whether a union that lasts an entire life is … [Read more...]

Washington D.C., Jan 28, 2013 / 01:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Christian pastor Saeed Abedini's sentence of eight years in prison by an Iranian judge for allegedly threatening local security with his leadership of house churches has been met with harsh criticism. “This is a real travesty – a mockery of justice,” said Jordan Sekulow, the director of the American Center for Law and Justice which represents Abedini's family living in the U.S. “Iran has not only … [Read more...]

Brasilia, Brazil, Jan 28, 2013 / 11:49 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The bishops and Catholic faithful across Brazil are voicing solidarity with the families of the 233 young people who died in a fire at the Kiss Nightclub Jan. 27 in the southern city of Santa Maria. Tragedy struck at around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday at the nightclub when pyrotechnics set off by the band Gurizada Fandangueria apparently caught the ceiling on fire. Rodrigo Martins a guitar player in the band told Radio Gaucha that the … [Read more...]